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Two or three days after, we heard that a duel was
to take place at Neuenheim, on the opposite side of
the Neckur, where the students have a house hired
for that purpose. In order to witness the spectacle,
we started immediately with two or three students.
Along the road were stationed old women, at intervals,
as guards, to give notice of the approach of the police,
and from these we learned that one duel had already
been fought, and they were preparing for the other.
The Red Fisherman was busy in an outer room grinding
the swords, which are made as sharp as razors.
In the large room some forty or fifty students were
walking about, while the parties were preparing.
This was done by taking off the coat and vest and
binding a great thick leather garment on, which reached
from the breast to the knees, completely protecting
the body. They then put on a leather glove reaching
nearly to the shoulder, tied a thick cravat around
the throat, and drew on a cap with a large vizor.
This done, they were walked about the room a short
time, the seconds holding out their arms to strengthen
them; their faces all this time betrayed considerable
anxiety.

All being ready, the seconds took their stations immediately
behind them, each armed with a sword, and gave the
words: “ready—­bind your weapons—­loose!”
They instantly sprang at each other, exchanged two
or three blows, when the seconds cried “halt!”
and struck their swords up. Twenty-four rounds
of this kind ended the duel, without either being
hurt, though the cap of one of them was cut through
and his forehead grazed. All their duels do not
end so fortunately, however, as the frightful scars
on the faces of many of those present, testified.
It is a gratification to know that but a small portion
of the students keep up this barbarous custom.
The great body is opposed to it; in Heidelberg, four
societies, comprising more than one half the students,
have been formed against it. A strong desire
for such a reform seems to prevail, and the custom
will probably be totally discontinued in a short time.

This view of the student-life was very interesting
to me; it appeared in a much better light than I had
been accustomed to view it. Their peculiar customs,
except duelling and drinking, of course, may be the
better tolerated when we consider their effect on the
liberty of Germany. It is principally through
them that a free spirit is kept alive; they have ever
been foremost to rise up for their Fatherland, and
bravest in its defence. And though many of their
customs have so often been held up to ridicule, among
no other class can one find warmer, truer or braver
hearts.